Toei Animation Co., Ltd. announces that it will be producing Ikkyu-san, a theatrical feature film for China, jointly with the Chinese media company Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and the Chinese kids channel Toonmax. The film will begin showing from February 2012 (the lunar New Year holidays) nationwide in China.

 The TV series Ikkyu-san was a popular Toei Animation title broadcast from 1975 through 1982 on the TV Asahi network.

 Ikkyu-san is a Buddhist monk who lived in 15th century in Japan. However, the series was so popular that most people associate the name with our animated character.

 The Ikkyu-san series has also been very popular in China, and has been shown repeatedly since it was first broadcast in 1983.

 
*The image from TV Series Ikkyu-san (1975)
©Toei Animation

  A press conference was held in Shanghai on June 16 to announce the joint production with SMG and Toonmax of the new theatrical animation Ikkyu-san for release in China.

 The Chinese market has tremendous potential for animation. SMG has produced many box-office hits in China and Toonmax has been a highly popular kids channel in Shanghai.

 This joint production will give Toei Animation a toehold in the Chinese market with the beloved Ikkyu-san, and will allow SMG and Toonmax to produce a blockbuster movie that appeals to both kids and their parents, even from an educational standpoint.

 In this joint production, Toei Animation will be responsible for pre-production work, providing a script, character design, background art, color design and storyboards. SMG/Toonmax will be in charge of the main production of the film, excepting the pre-production component.